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For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
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Photo#20450
Syrphid Fly - Temnostoma - female

Syrphid Fly - Temnostoma - Female
West Chicago Prairie, DuPage County, Illinois, USA
June 14, 2005
Size: 18mm
This fly is holding its front legs (black) in front of the face so they look like the jointed antennae of a wasp. Clever, eh? The effect is really quite convincing when you see one strike the pose. Also, Eric has pointed out the darkened leading edge of the fly's wing mimics a vespid's wing.
You can see a larger photo of this fly, as well as comparison shots to a potter wasp at Cirrus.

Moved
Moved from Temnostoma.

Temnostoma species
Syrphidae. Eric Eaton also mentioned the front legs/antennae behavior in commenting on this photo.